Music Therapy in Hospice & Long-Term Care

HospiceMusic Therapy involves a therapeutic relationship established and nurtured through music to address the various needs a person has at the end of life. It does not claim to cure or to prolong life in the medical sense, but rather seeks to improve quality of life.

When a medical cure is no longer possible, music therapy can improve the quality of remaining life by addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs that arise during this time.

Long-Term CareMusic Therapy involves a therapeutic relationship established and nurtured through music to address the various needs a person has. It is an effective therapy to support and improve quality of life for older adults.

Music Therapy can improve the quality of life in older adults by addressing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs that arise during this time in life.

Through Music Therapy, We Can Help•Validate the individual's life experiences•Explore spiritual values•Offer a means to resolve past conflicts through reminiscence and life review•Provide pain management and relaxation•Provide diversion and meaningful use of time•Provide non-verbal means of communication and emotional expression•Provide opportunities for gross and fine motor movement•Provide catalyst for release of pent-up emotions•Provide opportunities for socialization and developing friendships•Maintain and strengthen family bonds•Maintain the client's control as an individual by encouraging choice and decision-making•Support rehabilitative therapies

Services in music therapy are facilitated through client and therapist interaction using one or more of the following ways through which music can be experienced:•Listening to live and recorded music•Playing simple instruments•Singing•Moving•Creating, either through improvisation with the therapist, composing original poetry or musical compositions, or creating visual art through music•Vibrotactile experiences

All music therapy sessions are implemented by a board certified music therapist who adheres to the American Music Therapy Association's standards of clinical practice and code of ethics.